Die Hard Sports Fan

After that 0-3 start, the Mets have won 8 of their last 9 to improve to an 8-4 record.  Not too shabby for a club that needs an ER in their dugout.  So many Mets are hurt that a few players come back each day.  Eventually they’ll be back to full strength.  These Barry Bonds rumors are really awful.  I don’t know which newspaper started the rumor, but it had to come from one of them.

The best Mets article of the day is “COLLECT ‘EM ALL!” by Joel Sherman of the New York Post so check it out below.

Mets.com:

Unhittable Maine carries Mets - Marty Noble summarized today’s game between the Astros and the Mets.  The Mets beat the Astros 3-0.  John Maine got the start and pitched 4 hitless innings.  The Mets are 8-4 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Young Mets top Orioles on the road - Spencer Fordin summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Orioles.  The Mets beat the Orioles 4-1.  Jonathan Niese got the start.

Schneider, Easley go deep in loss - Anthony DiComo summarized yesterday’s game between the Marlins and the Mets.  The Marlins beat the Mets 12-4.  Mike Pelfrey got the start.

El Duque has sights set on starting

Notes: Sanchez returns to action - According to Anthony DiComo, Duaner Sanchez pitched one inning yesterday against the Marlins and said he felt like “I was 97 percent of what you watched in ‘06. I could say 100, but I don’t want to be crazy.”  Jose Valentin was expected to make his debut today playing either first base or second base.  Ryan Church was cleared to play yesterday and played.  Church finished the day with 2 singles.  When the Mets cut 13 players on Friday, Steven Register did not get cut.

Newsday:

Fifth spot for Mets? Duque confident; Pelfrey hit - David Lennon provides the status for the 5th spot in the rotation.

Now starting in left for Mets … Barry Bonds? - That is the dumbest idea that I’ve ever heard.  And then we can add Sammy Sosa in center and Mark McGwire in right.  David Lennon included excerpts from Mets players, and they don’t want Bonds either.  That’s relieving.

New York Daily News:

Mets laugh off reports they have any interest in signing Barry Bonds

Pedro Martinez, wife committed to making a difference in Dominican - Christian Red wrote about how Pedro and Carolina Martinez, appear at a charity dinner in December in Santo Domingo that was part of their foundation’s effort to help underprivileged girls in the Dominican Republic.

El Duque starts to talk the talk; Mike Pelfrey gets shelled

Newest Mets return, make good impression - Peter Botte lets us know how Church and Brian Schneider felt after playing yesterday.

New York Post:

COLLECT ‘EM ALL! - Joel Sherman says that the Mets should sign Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens so they can discuss steroids and their legal troubles.

PELFREY TAKES STEP BACK IN BATTLE FOR FIFTH SPOT

DEARTH VALLEY - Joel Sherman explains the lack of depth that the Mets have since giving up 4 players for Johan Santana.

WEAPONS FOR WAGS - Bart Hubbuch noted that Billy Wagner added a curveball and a change-up to his arsenal because Wagner felt like hitters were catching up to him.

New York Times:

Mets Are Happy to See Some Familiar Faces

The Star-Ledger:

Mets vs. Astros - Lisa Kennelly provided the lineup for today’s game between the Astros and the Mets.

El Duque not feeling the Pelfrey pressure

Fernando Martinez is a huge talent, tiny ego

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Single-game tickets for the final season at Shea Stadium go on sale tomorrow at 9 a.m.  You can order the tickets at Mets.com or by calling the Mets’ ticket office at (718) 507-TIXX for more information.

The Amazins’ are playing in split-squad games today.  The Mets beat the Orioles by a score of 4-1 in the non-televised game.  Jonathan Niese got the start.  The Mets are 7-3 in the Grapefruit League standings.  The Mets got smoked 12-4 by the Marlins in the second game which was televised.  Mike Pelfrey finally had a bad outing in Spring Training, and it was really bad.  The seven-game winning streak came to an end.  The Mets are 7-4 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Mets.com:

Notes: MASH unit stays home - Tom Singer pointed out that the road lineup is full of prospects as many starters deal with injuries.

Pedro gets work in at simulated ‘event’ - Marty Noble let us know how Pedro Martinez performed in his simulated start.

Mets subs shine in win over Indians - Anthony Castrovince summarized yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Indians.  Oliver Perez got the start.  The Mets were able to put together another comeback to beat the Tribe by a score of 8-6.  The Mets are now 6-3 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Newsday:

Mets’ Pedro has work cut out after simulated game - After the simulated game, David Lennon felt like Martinez had some things to improve upon.

Pain fading for Delgado, who takes recovery slow

New York Daily News:

Moises Alou insists he will make return from hernia injury

Pedro Martinez can’t wait to deal for real

Ryan Church takes batting practice - Peter Botte lets us know what he thought when Ryan Church returned to BP.

New York Post:

SLOW PITCH - Bart Hubbuch also wrote how Pedro wants to pitch in a real game already.

OLIVER GETS ROUGHED UP AGAIN - Bart Hubbuch reveals his thoughts on Oli’s outing against the Indians yesterday.

New York Times:

Martínez’s Changeup: Less Talk, More Action

The Star-Ledger:

Mets vs. Marlins - Lisa Kennelly provided the lineup and a summary of the early innings for today’s game between the Marlins and the Mets.

Leave No Stone Unturned - Matthew Artus suggests Barry Bonds as a right fielder for the Mets.  I think that all of the steroid users should be permanently banned from the majors to avoid any more unneccary embarrassment.

Trade rumors putting the heat on Schoeneweis - Jeremy Cothran wrote “What upsets Schoeneweis, who is out of Lenape High in Medford, is that the team is so quick to dismiss him after one below-par season.”  The Mets are not dismissing him for one below-par season.  The below-par season is a direct result of the lack of needles being injected into his rump.  I grew up in Medford, but I went to another high school called Shawnee for my Freshman year before moving to Long Island.  We competed against Lenape.  I wish the Mets would get rid of this guy already.

Pedro eager to make it real

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The Mets got some revenge on the Marlins, in Spring Training anyway.  The Mets won 6-2.  John Maine was the starter, and he gave up 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 7 in three innings of work.  The Mets finally got above .500 which is a teeny bit relieving, but down 11 men makes me very uneasy.

The best article of the day about the Amazins’ was “GRASPING AT STRAW” by Joel Sherman of the NY Post.  Make sure you check that one out.

Mets.com:

Pagan stays hot; pitching stops Fish - Joe Frisaro summarized today’s game between the Mets and the Marlins.  Frisaro pointed out the Angel Pagan had 3 hits and his average is .423 so far in Spring Training.  The Mets are now 4-3 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Trio of pitchers at different stages - Marty Noble lets us know the status of Mike Pelfrey, Pedro Martinez, and Orlando Hernandez.

Plans unveiled for Robinson Museum - Jack O’Connell wrote, “On the occasion of its 35th anniversary, the Jackie Robinson Foundation announced plans on Monday night for a Jackie Robinson Museum located at the foundation’s new national headquarters at 1 Hudson Square in lower Manhattan.”

Strawberry back where it all began

Notes: Gotay to have CAT scan on ankle - Marty Noble reported that Ruben Gotay was scheduled to have a CAT scan this morning.  Ryan Church returned to Mets camp yesterday, but he still cannot play.

Newsday:

Underachieving Mets aren’t boasting anymore - Wallace Matthews found out that the Mets will not have a slogan in ‘08.  Matthews playfully came up with several slogans that the Mets could use.

Mets doctors on foot patrol with El Duque, Pedro

Mets’ Church on his feet after collision

SPRING TRAINING: E-MAIL FROM PORT St. LUCIE - David Lennon gave a quick bit on Darryl Strawberry being hired by the Mets.

New York Daily News:

Ruben Gotay may have broken ankle; Orlando Hernandez limited

Darryl Strawberry’s stirring redemption with Mets always a hit

New York Post:

PEL OF A START - Bart Hubbuch pointed out that Mike Pelfrey had another great start so the fight for the 5th spot in the rotation continues.

EL DUQUE’S LEG LIFT KICKS THE BUCKET - Joel Sherman found out that “”El Duque” admits he either has to alter the knee-to-chin portion of his windup or eliminate it completely if he wants to continue to pitch in the major leagues.”  I guess the question is will Hernandez be able to adapt?

GRASPING AT STRAW - Joel Sherman says that Strawberry must explain to the current Mets that they cannot allow opportunities to slip away like they did in the ’80s.

LOOKS LIKE BAD BREAK FOR GOTAY - I just hope that the results are negative.

New York Times:

Seeking a Spot, a Mets Pitcher Has to Be Creative - Karen Crouse wrote a brief description of Nelson Figueroa Jr.

Strawberry, in New Role, Is Back With the Mets

The Star-Ledger:

Maine and his money - The Mets renewed John Maine’s contract, according to Lisa Kennelly.

2002: A Cautionary Tale - Matthew Artus is drawing the links between the 2002 Mets and the 2008 Mets.  I don’t even want to think about the 2002 Mets, but there are definitely some health concerns right now.

Pelfrey making case for fifth spot

CT scan scheduled for Gotay

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The Mets beat the Braves which is always a good thing.  I have no complaints about that.  Mike Pelfrey looked really good, again.  Pelfrey wants that final spot.  Some of these young kids can hit in clutch ‘Spring Training’ spots.  The Mets were able to get back to .500.

Whenever I’ve been listening to talk radio lately, I hear Mets fans call up and say they want the Mets to go after Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa to play right field.  I want no part of these steroid users on the Mets.  Bonds knees are so bad that he hasn’t been able to play in years.  Sosa missed a few years prior to playing for the Rangers last year.  Sosa still had a little game left, but I just don’t want any part of any of these guys.  My favorite story of the day was when I read that the Mets are trying to trade Scott Schoeneweis.  Schoeneweis is the last of the mohicans, on the Mets, so let’s keep that way by not brininging in any more of them.  I would prefer to root for a clean team!

Mets.com:

Pelfrey sharp in second spring outing - Marty Noble summarized today’s game between the Braves and the Mets.  The Mets beat the Braves 3-2 in the tenth inning.  Mike Pelrey was the starting pitcher.  The Mets are 3-3 in the Grapefruit League standings. 

Mailbag: El Duque out of the rotation? - Marty Noble answers questions posed by Mets fans’.

Mets reserves boast win over Dodgers - Anthony DiComo provided a game summary and the box score for yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Dodgers.  Oliver Perez got the start.  The Mets beat the Dodgers 6-5.  The Mets are 2-3 in the Grapefruit League standings.

Notes: Valentin covering his bases - The Mets have Jose Valentin learning first base this spring because they lack depth at the position.

Delgado’s hip pain not serious - That’s good news.  The reports yesterday indicated that Delgado would miss 15 games.  Now Carlos Delgado should only miss a few games, according to Marty Noble.

Newsday:

Delgado’s MRI negative, but hip still an issue - David Lennon also covered Carlos Delgado’s hip injury.  Lennon said that the MRI was negative, but Delgado’s hip can continue to nag him troughout the season.

Straw is back - David Lennon reported that the Mets hired Darryl Strawberry as a full-time instructor.

Church, Anderson still hurting after collision - David Lennon provided us with the current status of Church and Anderson.  Marlon Anderson was diagnosed with a bruised sternum.  Ryan Church was diagnosed with a Grade 2 concussion.  Lennon goes on to explain the ninth inning of yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Dodgers.

E-mail from Vero Beach - David Lennon says farewell to Dodgertown.

New York Daily News:

Mets backups help beat Dodgers while Carlos Delgado returns, but sits out - Adam Rubin also wrote about Carlos Delgado’s hip injury.

Willie Randolph, Joe Torre face chills of early spring pressure - Bill Madden describes the challenges that Willie Randolph and Joe Torre face this season.

Sources: Scott Schoeneweis, Jorge Sosa being shopped - That’s great news.  Get rid of the steroid scum and another pitcher that just sucks.

New York Post:

ELEVEN MEN OUT - Bart Hubbuch tallied up the injured Mets and lets you know the status of the team.

PEREZ GETS HIT HARD IN FIRST START - Bart Hubbuch walks you through the poor outing by Oliver Perez in his first start.  Pedro Martinez is scheduled to make his first start of the spring on Thursday.

New York Times:

Santana’s Changeup: Hitters Never See It Coming - Jack Curry lets you know about Johan Santana’s pitches.

Mets May Keep Delgado Out Several Days

The Star-Ledger:

Grapefruit League Game 6: Braves vs. Mets - Jeremy Cothran provided the lineups and a summary of the first three innings of today’s game between the Braves and the Mets.

Mets Might Not Want to Be Penned Down - Matthew Artus explains the plusses and minuses of trading Scott Schoeneweis and Jorge Sosa.

Latest injury: Gotay’s ankle - Jeremy Cothran tells us how Ruben Gotay injured his ankle as well as his status.

Mets shrug off need for one leader - Jeremy Cothran descbribes who the leaders on the Mets are.

Bad day: Injuries hit hard

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The Mets must get their guys healthy or the start of the season isn’t going to be a good one.  The Mets are playing the Dodgers right now even though the game isn’t aired.  The Dodgers are winning 3-1 in the top of the 3rd.  Hopefully the Mets can come back and win this game.  Maybe even get on a little hot streak and get back to .500.

Newsday:

Facing Mets, Dodgers’ Torre doesn’t diss Yankees - Why would Joe Torre bash his former team?  What is he Lastings Milledge?

SPRING TRAINING: E-MAIL FROM PORT St. LUCIE - David Lennon described Jose Reyes’ at bat when he got hit by a pitch in yesterday’s game.

Collision hurts Church most; Mets’ injuries mount - A bunch of Mets got banged up in yesterday’s game between the Dodgers and the Mets.  David Lennon explains what occured on and off the field that made it difficult for Willie to put a team on the field.

New York Daily News:

Marlon Anderson, Ryan Church collide; Carlos Delgado sent home - Adam Rubin also walks you through the Mets players that got injured yesterday.

19-year-old phenom Fernando Martinez blazing a trail toward Shea

There’s a lot more going on during the spring than meets the eye - Anthony McCarron details all of the things that take place behind the scenes in Spring Training.

Jon Niese looks nice in win - Adam Rubin thinks so, and I concur.  Jonathan Niese only pitched 2 innings, but he looked good on the mound.  Rubin also wrote that “Scouts suggest the Mets may be concerned about Ruben Gotay’s range and expect the team to shop for a bona fide backup shortstop this spring.”

New York Post:

METS GET CRASH COURSE IN PAIN - Bart Hubbuch details the collision that took place between Ryan Church and Marlon Anderson in yesterday’s game.

SERBY’S SUNDAY Q&A WITH… - Steve Serby asks Duaner Sanchez questions about his recovery.

A NIESE DAY: PROSPECT KEY TO FIRST VICTORY - Bart Hubbuch lets us know about Niese’s outing yesterday.

OLD JOE CROWS ABOUT NEW JOE - Joe Torre praised Joe Girardi yesterday.

CARLOS HASN’T BEEN LEADER AMAZINS’ NEED - Kevin Kernan takes his shots at Carlos Delgado.

The Star-Ledger:

Some game updates - Jeremy Cothran takes you through the first two innings of today’s game between the Mets and the Dodgers.  Oliver Perez got the start.

Bad day: Injuries hit hard - Jeremy Cothran also discusses the status of the injured Mets.

Mets’ Pelfrey is prepared to advance - According to Jeremy Cothran, Mike Pelfrey continues to impress and wants to make the team.

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The bad news is that the Amazins’ lost again with Mr. Maine out there.  This time to the Cardinals by a score of 7-0.   The good news is that their Grapefruit League home opener is tomorrow, and the Mets will be hosting the Cardinals at 1:10 p.m. with Santana on the mound.  If I’m lucky then I can watch Johan lead the Mets to their first Spring Training win.

I thought that the best Mets article of the day was “Pedro and Roger have got a lot of nerve” by Wallace Matthews.  Make sure you check it out below.

Mets.com:

Mets looking to tomorrow - Anthony DiComo provided a summary and the box score for today’s game between the Mets and the Cardinals.  The Cardinals beat the Mets 7-0.  Ouch!  You want to see your team do well, but just remember that it is Spring Training so it doesn’t count.  The Mets are 0-2 in the Grapefruit League now.

Minor League Report: Brant Rustich - Anthony DiComo covered Brant Rustich who was a college reliever who is trying to convert to a starter.  Brant is already considered one of the Mets top prospects.

Pelfrey applies lessons from last year - According to Marty Noble, Mike Pelfrey was talking to himself on the mound yesterday.  He was saying things like “We’re not doing this again.  That was last year.  No more of that.  If I’m going to go 0-7 again, I’m going to do it throwing strikes.”  That’s what I wanna hear from this kid.

Notes: Schneider learns from teammates - Marty Noble and Anthony DiComo said that Brian Schneider and Carlos Beltran did not play the Tigers yesterday.  Instead, Schneider got some hitting advice from Beltran.

Newsday:

Mets’ Pelfrey impresses, but he’s still sixth man

Minaya on El Duque’s first start: What’s the rush?

Pedro and Roger have got a lot of nerve - Wallace Matthews has some beef with Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens.  It’s syterical so give it a read.

E-mail from Port St. Lucie - David Lennon says that the ”Joker Marchant Stadium is one of the nicer ballparks on the Grapefruit League circuit”.

New York Daily News:

Lastings Milledge rips Mets again - Adam Rubin got this quote from Lastings Millegde, “I can’t go through anything worse than I went through in New York.  It only gets better from here, a lot of veterans (on the Mets) didn’t like the way I play the game. They thought I didn’t respect it.”  The biggest move that Omar made during the offseason was signing Santana.  Second to that was getting rid of Milledge.  Even his own teammates thought he didn’t respect the game.  That’s how I felt about him all along, and I cannot figure out why so many Mets fans questioned that trade.  I understand that they didn’t get equal value, but who wants Milledge.  Even his comments now go to show you how classless he is.  This guy is a bum.

Mike Pelfrey sees need to get ahead - Adam Rubin lets us know how Pelfrey did in yesterday’s game.

New York Post:

ONE-MAINE SHOW - Bart Hubbuch also covered the story about how a John Maine imposter dressed as a woman in November.  Another media outlet reported this story a while ago.  Maine had this to say, “I thought it was kind of great, actually, I mean, of all the people on the team, this guy picked me to impersonate. Maybe that means my name is getting out there.”

FORMER MET ENJOYING GREEN-ER PASTURES - Mark Hale has reported that Shawn Green told The Post that he retired yesterday after playing 15 seasons in the big leagues.  Green said that a few teams across the coutnry were interested in him, but he was hoping to sign with a team near his home in California, but none were interested.  Die Hard Mets Fan would like to wish Shawn a happy retirement.

WILLIE ‘SURELY DIDN’T’ KNOW MCNAMEE RISK - So says Willie Randolph…I am suspect on all of these baseball guys saying that they don’t know anything about anything.  We know that Willie was with the Yankees, but I’m not just talking about Willie.  I’m talking about all of the coaches, trainers, GMs, and owners.  With such a widespread problem, how does nobody know about it?

PELFREY POPPIN’

New York Times:

Pelfrey Hopes First Outing Becomes a Lasting Impression

The Star-Ledger:

Sanchez pushed back - Lisa Kennelly reported that Duaner Sanchez didn’t pitch today due to “normal soreness”.

Vote for Pelfrey - Regarding that 5th spot in the rotation, Matthew Artus explains why he would rather have Pelfrey pitch than El Duque.

Pelfrey confident his opportunity will come in time

Maine starting off with new mind-set

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The Mets lost their Grapefruit League opener to the Tigers by a score of 4-2.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see it.  The Mets will play one more road game against the Cardinals at 1:05 p.m. tomorrow before they get their first home game which will be aired on SNY.  Johan Santana will get the start on Friday, and I can’t wait to see it.

Mets.com:

Pelfrey sharp in Mets’ Grapefruit opener - Jason Beck provided a summary and the box score in this article.

Reyes determined to stay focused - Anthony DiComo stated that Jose Reyes is ready to put that September slump behind him.

Santana allows Mets to look to future - Mike Bauman says that Johan Santana helps chase away memories of the collapse.

Mets open Grapefruit slate vs. Tigers - Yesterday’s game ended in a 4-4 tie.

Notes: Wilpon in no-lose situation - Fred Wilpon’s alma mater nearly tops Mets in exhibition contest.

Newsday:

Pedro may pitch himself into extension with Mets - Omar Minaya said, “I think it’s fair that we at least allow some time for him to pitch, as the year goes on, we’ll evaluate it.” about Pedro Martinez.

Bunt attempt by Michigan player irks Mets’ Wagner - David Lennon wrote this about Billy Wagner,

Forget the Phillies. Billy Wagner nearly started a beanball war with the University of Michigan after one overzealous Wolverine tried to bunt on him in the fourth inning. With a runner on second and one out, centerfielder Kevin Cislo pushed his bunt foul.

Wagner, clearly annoyed, shook his head a number of times, and Cislo wisely swung away, grounding out. Wagner said he couldn’t believe that Cislo, a junior, bunted.

“If he got that bunt down, I would have drilled the next guy,” Wagner said. “Play to win against Villanova.”

Wow…Billy got pissed off at college kids in the 4th Inning.  It sounds like something Roger Clemens would do…

Mets’ Wright homers off Michigan starter

New York Daily News:

Mets hoping phenom Eddie Kunz rules like Joba Chamberlain - For Mets fans, it’s always about ‘hope’.

Pedro Martinez willing to talk - or not talk - about a new contract

Aaron Heilman flunks in college try - Adam Rubin covered Aaron Heilman’s performance against Michigan yesterday.

New York Post:

SWEATIN’ IN THE SUNSHINE STATE - This is an interesting story that I didn’t know about.  According to Joel Sherman, Willie Randolph and Rick Downs both endorsed Brian McNamee to be the batting coach last year after the Mets let go of Downs.  Sherman wrote that “Minaya decided to investigate McNamee’s reputation and opted against making the hire based on a series of dubious responses he received from associates around the majors and his sense McNamee did not fit the support role available.”  Joel pointed out that the Mets would have to be dealing with all of the steroid investigations going on right now if they hired McNamee.

PEDRO’S PITCH HAS TO WAIT

STAY THE REY YOU ARE - Sounds like a Billy Joel song to me.  Speaking of Billy Joel, they added another show at Shea Stadium.

WRIGHT HOMERS, BUT IT’S NO MICH.-MATCH

New York Times:

Run Wasn’t Cheap; Heilman Gets Off for a Song

Martínez Would Be Open to Mets Extension

The Star-Ledger:

Grapefruit League Game #1: Mets vs. Tigers - Jeremy Cothran provided an early status of today’s game between the Mets and the Tigers.

Forbes Writer Not Kind to Santana - Matthew Artus goes into depth why.

Pedro’s deal: You call me

Jerseyan has shining moment for Michigan - Eric Katzman worked himself out of a jam in the 2nd Inning by getting Reyes to pop up with the bases loaded.  Katzman was quoted as saying, “No matter what happened, I’ll always be able to say I got Jose Reyes to pop out with the bases loaded.”

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Around 12:20 pm, I was listening to ‘Joe and Evan’ on WFAN.com.  They had Mike Pelfrey on for a few minutes.  Some of the questions asked were related to that 5th and final spot in the rotation, the acquisition of Johan Santana, the collapse, the Carlos Beltran guarantee, and working with pitching coach Rick Peterson.  To hear the interview, just click on this link: WFAN (To hear the interview on WFAN.com, click on the ‘Play’ icon under ‘2-26 Mike Pelfrey’)

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The Mets will play their first Spring Training game on Friday, February 29 at 1:10 pm against the Cardinals.  Tickets are available at Mets.com if you can make it, and it will be aired on SNY if you can’t.  Johan Santana should get the start, but it hasn’t been made official.

Mets.com:

Mets soak up Koufax’s wisdom - Sandy Koufax was down in Port St. Lucie giving Pedro and Wagner some pointers.

Newsday:

Latest big spectacle: Mets’ Santana faces hitters - Mets’ batters let you know what they thought about trying to hit Santana.

SPRING TRAINING: E-MAIL FROM PORT ST. LUCIE - David Lennon lets you know how Fernando Martinez is doing in BP.

Mets’ Perez is 1-0 after winning arbitration case

New York Daily News:

Johan Santana wows Mets hitters

Mike Pelfrey, Joe Smith ready fast pitch - Adam Rubin pointed out that Smith and Pelfrey are fighting to make the team.

Oliver Perez deals Mets a rare loss - Adam Rubin discusses the details of the Oli’s arbitration hearing.

New York Post:

OWE, WHAT A FEELING! - When David Wright was asked how he deals with the collapse in ‘07, he responded “We owe you one, and we owe ourselves one, too.”  That’s what I wanted to hear all along.  I wish it came from Reyes though because Wright played like a stud down the strecth.

‘SAN’ BLAST - Bart Hubbuch stated that Johan ‘feels great’ despite giving up a surprising home run.

BOTH $IDE$ ARE HAPPY FOR OLIVER

New York Times:

It’s Both Sides Now for Mets Off the Bench - Ben Shpigel analyzes the status of the pinch hitters going into ‘08.

Big Raise for Pérez After Rare Arbitration - In 2007, Perez made $2.325 million.  After winning 15 games, the Mets offered him $4.725 million which is more than enough.  Scott Boras is Oliver’s agent, and used Bedard, who just signed a one-year $7 million dollar contract with the Mariners, as the basis to win the case.  Bedard and Perez have absolutely nothing in common with each other.  Perez had 15 wins on a team with an explosive offense and Bedard did not.  The Mets got screwed with Perez.  At the end of the day, Oli will make $6.5 million in ‘08.

The Star-Ledger:

Happy Weekend - Jeremy Cothran provided some non-baseball Mets tidbits.

Mets Hoodwinked by Perez (and Boras) in Arbitration - Matthew Artus provided the stats of Perez and Benard which led to him believed that the Mets got ’hoodwinked’.

Santana throws, draws a crowd - Jeremy Cothran lets you know how that went.

Perez wins, awarded $6.5M

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3 days until pitchers and catchers.  Omar is staying busy by making deals right down to the final days before pitchers and catchers report.  He signed Saenz and Armas Jr. as you will see below.

Note, you can purchase your Spring Training Tickets now on Mets.com.

Mets.com:

Mets ink Saenz to Minor League deal - Marty Noble reports that the Mets signed Olmedo Saenz to a Minor League deal.  Noble feels like Saenz, 37, is a veteran that can back up Carlos Delgado at first base if he makes the roster.  Marty points out that Franco and Conine were the players that backed up Delgado last year, so that is essentially how Olmedo would be utilized by the Mets.  Saenz last played for the Dodgers, and Noble covers all of that in the article.

Newsday:

Mets sign pitcher Armas to beef up rotation - David Lennon reports that the Mets also signed Tony Armas Jr. to minor league contract yesterday.  Lennon states that the Mets hope that Armas Jr., 29, can strengthen the back end of the rotation at minimal cost.  Tony pitched for the Pirates last year, and spent 8 seasons with the Expos/Nationals prior to that.  David provided Armas Jr.’s 2007 stats and his career stats in the article.  Last season’s numbers don’t look good, but how can they when he pitched for the Pirates.  His career numbers are a bit better than his 2007 numbers.  I hope it works out because my expectations for the Mets are high going into the season.

New York Daily News:

Home run apple will follow Mets to new Citi Field ballpark - The AP found out that,

“The big home run apple is coming,” the team’s chief operating officer, Jeff Wilpon, said Tuesday during a media tour of Citi Field, the new stadium.

An apple is coming, at any rate. Mets officials said they did not know whether it would be the same fiberglass apple that has popped up like a Champagne cork following Mets homers since 1980.

Conceptually, I like it.  They need to create a new one though.  The old one looks beat up.  The new one needs a little more pizzazz to it.

New York Times:

Pelfrey Looks to Make Mets’ Decision Difficult - Ben Shpigel points out that Mike Pelfrey is the only player that didn’t get traded that is still fighting for his spot on the field.  Pelfrey believes that this is his year.  After a really bad season in 2007, except for September, Mike still has a lot to prove.  He is still young.

The Star-Ledger:

Q & A with Always Amazin’

Mets Bring Armas Into the Fold

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